The Longstockings: July 2008

What up, party people!

Sooo, I'm still in the Hamptons. I came here for a writer's conference, and then I went home for two days and came back for a screenwriter's conference! I am Hampton-ing it up. It's been pretty amazing. I just wanted to share with you guys a few of the words of wisdom I have heard so far. Pretend you are Hampton-ing it up with me! Surrounded by great literary minds!

From Winnie Holzman, "Anything you write, you never wrote before. Old stuff doesn't help... You just have to trudge your little road."

From Melissa Bank, "What makes something fly is somewhat of a mystery." In Melissa's workshop, we talked a lot about that quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald. "Talking about fiction is like rubbing the powder off a butterfly." I just love that image.

xoxo
jenny

BREAKING DAWN Spoiler

Yesterday I was doing my daily blog reading and started off at the wonderful Fuse#8 blog, a place to be counted on for juicy info in the kidlit world. And sure enough, this link to a BREAKING DAWN spoiler was there.

I am of mixed feelings when it comes to spoilers. On the one hand I am very greedy when it come to knowing all I can know and I hate, hate, hate waiting to find out how things will turn out. This has been a hard year for me waiting to know if Bella will continue with Edward or make the leap and go with Jacob. And just how it will all end up. Stephenie Meyer is nothing if not a master story teller and I know this book will deliver some real shocks and a truly satisfying conclusion to the series. So waiting to read it has been torturous. And the idea of any clues as to how it will go seemed super appealing. I wanted to know anything I could so I clicked the link and read.

(Stop reading here if you don't want to know the spoiler!) I'm not sure what I expected but it wasn't information this big. Bella and Edward married early on in the book? Shouldn't it all end with a wedding, not start with one? I can see why she decided to leak this: it leads readers to a million questions, the main one being if they marry so early on what happens after? Or maybe the main one is, does Bella become a vampire? On the one hand this seems to tip the story more towards her ending up with Jacob. I mean, she wouldn't spend the whole book being happily married to Edward, right? Or would she and the bulk of the story is about some final vampire/werewolf showdown? See, lots of questions that get readers even more hungry for the book. But after living with this info for a day or so, I realize I wish I didn't know it.

I mean, as previously stated, I stand in awe of Meyer's ability to tell a story and I trust that knowing this doesn't spoil anything huge about the book. And it happens towards the start of the book so it's not like it gives away a key piece of the ending. But knowing it's there, without knowing the context has unsettled me. I think maybe there is something to be said for waiting and getting something in the context you are supposed to, hard as that wait can be. The thing is, once I saw that headline, there was no way I was going to pass it up. I'm just too impatient and the thought of knowing something, anything, about the book was too tempting to pass up. But I have to confess, I wish I'd held off. I have savored every bit of this saga and I wish I'd let myself savor ever scene in this new book instead of ripping one out of context. The sad thing is, though, I know I'll make this very same mistake again. That's just how it goes when you're an impatient greedy type like me!

What about you guys? Anyone else have strong feelings about spoilers? Though I'm guessing anyone who is very against them stopped reading a few paragraphs ago!

But spoilers or no, the bottom line is this: I absolutely can't wait for Saturday to get my hands on this book!!

#daphne

PS- Go Team Edward!

I've got a beautiful feeling

So often, the life of a writer is filled with doubt and stress and angst. A really good day is rare--there's always something left undone. Either you didn't get as much written as you probably could have, or a good writing day came at the expense of something else you also really needed to do, or you did your chores and hit your writing goal but are haunted by the utter crappiness of the five pages you sweated out.

Well, not today, gosh darn it! Today I had a terrific day all around. I did the load of laundry I promised my husband. I wrote 1500 words (not bad, for someone who's been out of practice since last October) and while I know it's not the greatest thing I've ever written, who cares--it's a first draft. And then, dear reader, I picked myself up and headed for the Chelsea Physic Garden, which I have been meaning to visit since April. And it was lovely. I got there just in time for a guided tour, and finished up just in time for a pot of tea and a brownie. And THEN--can you stand the delightfulness?--I sat on the lawn in the weirdly perfect weather and watched a baby and wrote in my journal.

The one disappointment is that I did not manage to buy an electric tea kettle--Sainsbury's was sold out of the cheap ones, and I refuse to buy an expensive machine to boil water. But other than that, it was a pretty much perfect day. I was even happy when my husband called to say he'd be late--it meant I had time to write this before I start dinner! I will hoard this day against all the stressful, angst-ridden, doubt-addled days to come.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's had a good day this summer, or any time, for that matter. What was your best day, for writing and/or living? Let's all tell stories about things going well!

--Kathryne

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

New trailer just posted! Eep!

-=siobhan=-

That's Some Good Fairy Tale Readin'

Way back in May, I posted a link to a PW article where Catherine Gilbert Murdock (author of Dairy Queen) purported to have written the first draft of her new fairy tale YA Princess Ben in just 16 days.

I poo-poo'd this statement. Who can write a draft of a 300-page book in just 16 days? One's brain would explode! (Well, my puny brain would.)

Anyway, I still can't believe it, but now for another reason. The book has been garnering tons of praise and award whisperings, so I just read it and it's FABULOUS. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The voice is strong, the prose is lovely, the plot is captivating, and the end satisfying. It's a book I can't wait to tell teens to read. There are so many modern takes on fairy tales being published at the moment, and in my opinion, some of them are dreadful. But this one is full of realistic, round, juicy characters and a protagonist you have to root for.

This book rocks.

*caroline hickey

PS- For those of you who are counting, yes, I'm nearly a week past my due date and still no baby. I can't discuss it. All I can say is I have a stack of new YA books I'm reading through while I wait, which is at least time well spent!

Margo Rabb's New York Times Essay

In last week's NY Times Book Review, Margo Rabb, author of CURES FOR HEARTBREAK, wrote an essay entitled I'm YA and I'm OK!

Since it was published, I've read both positive and negative reactions to the piece from within the YA author community. Fans say it's about time we got some respect, and give Rabb props for wagging her finger at the haters! On the other hand, the detractors claim Rabb's making excuses and trying to justify herself and her craft in light of the genre, and how her foray into the YA world has been one "happy accident" (gag).

Honestly, I think I might be a little in both camps. Maybe it was because of Rabb's implied snobbery at the outset of the article. Also, the whole MacDowell mentions struck me as a way to validate her writing ability in a way adult authors would instantly recognize. Then again, I am a fan of chipping away at the pervasive dismissive attitude and bad rap towards YA literature by adult readers and writers in any way possible. And I've always dreamed of a MacDowell residency! *sigh* Seriously. That place is amazing.

Anyhow, Margo Rabb discussed the article further on NPR's Brian Lehrer Show this Monday morning. Here's the audio clip.

Would love to know your thoughts, dear readers. What did you think of the essay?

-=siobhan=-

Schooled by Google

I was wondering why Google had gone all Peter Rabbit today.

So to find the answer I (of course) Googled it. Turns out it's Beatrix Potter's birthday.

So happy bday, BP! And check out this awesome Peter Rabbit website I just found in my searching.

What's everyone's favorite Beatrix Potter character? I was a big Jemima Puddle-Duck fan, for the record.

~lisa graff~

The Emerald Tablet

Every once in a while I like to throw out a book that I’ve read and enjoyed, and the latest one is middle grade debut novel from PJ Hoover. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an ARC of this one, since PJ is a friend from the Class of 2K8, and I’m glad I did. I’ve been trying to read books that are outside my usual realm (that being contemporary realistic teen and middle grade fiction) and this was a fun one.

It starts with a bang on the very first page as Benjamin sees his mother evaporate into thin air and the mirror on his wall starts talking to him. Obviously there’s no putting it down after a start like that! It turns out the neat abilities Benjamin had always taken for granted, like his telekinesis and the way he can read minds, are in fact one of the things that marks him as different and that Benjamin and his family aren’t human but are telegens. He is part of an ancient people and is being sent off to summer school to learn all about it.

I won’t give away anymore but I will say that it was a nifty read that left me eager for the next book in the trilogy. One of the many fun things about this book is how much of a boy Benjamin is. He is the wise cracking kid in seventh grade who makes things fun and is easy to talk to. After about two sentences I felt like I knew him and was happy to know I’d be hanging out with him for a few hundred more pages. I think it’s so neat when women can write boy characters well and PJ really pulls it off.

This was a terrific read that I think middle grade boys and girls will get very into. And here’s to hoping I get my hands on an ARC of the next one!

#daphne

Trying Something New...For Better or Worse

I'm an outliner. Always have been. I like to know exactly what's going to happen before I settle down to write a story. But for the new book I'm working on, I decided to take a different approach.

While I do already have the big scenes in mind, there are a lot of fuzzy parts in the middle. But instead of trying to map it all out now, I'm just going to try and write my way through it. This new technique comes by way of a new book on writing that I am in love with called THE MODERN LIBRARY WRITER'S WORKSHOP. It definitely advocates for the whole writing-by-the-headlights approach. And I figure...why not give it a whirl.

But obviously, there is fear in trying something new. I am prone to getting VERY frustrated with my writing VERY quickly, so maybe I won't have the patience to let my new story unfold, to make the mistakes that will certainly come. Maybe I'll feel so lost, or make so many wrong turns, that I'll scare myself away from this new idea and convince myself it was never a real story at all. Also, VOICE has never been my strong suit, and I think I'm going to need a really good handle on my main character to make this new writing strategy work. Finally...I'm switching (for now) from first person present to first person past. It's hard!

*sigh* Have YOU ever tried a new approach to your writing? Were you successful? Did it help or hinder? I'd love to hear about your experience.

-=siobhan=-

Storytelling Advice from Ira Glass!

Don't you just love This American Life and the host Ira Glass? Well, I just stumbled upon a series of four short videos called IRA GLASS ON STORYTELLING where he shares some wisdom with beginning broadcasters. But I think his words apply equally well to writers. Check this out and see if you agree:

You can find all four videos here.

What'd'ya think?

:-)
~Coe~

THE COMEBACK SEASON Contest

Check out the neat contest involving two of my loves, baseball and books:

In honor of the recent publication of The Comeback Season,

and the amazing season the Cubs are having this year, we're having....

The Comeback Season

CONTEST!

1^st Prize: 2 tickets to the Cubs vs. Astros game on 9/3/08 at 7:05 at Wrigley Field

2^nd Prize: A marked-up copy of The Comeback Season, with notes from the author

3^rd Prize: A signed copy of The Comeback Season

There are three ways to win!

1. Let me know that you told at least 10 people about the contest via blog or email

2. Send a photo of you reading the book

3. Send a receipt showing that you bought the book

Send all entries to thecomebackseason@gmail.com

Winners will be chosen on August 12^th, 2008 by random drawing

(* If you win 1^st prize, but don't live in Chicago, you can opt for the Cubs tickets to go to the next person, and you'll get a marked up copy of the book instead, plus another YA book of your choice!)

Good luck, and go Cubs!

Praise for The Comeback Season

"…a deeply moving, often beautifully rendered story…[written] with scenes of genuine emotional power and language of sometimes breathtaking beauty and clarity…Smith is clearly a writer with extraordinary gifts, from whom great things should be expected." - School Library Journal

"[Smith] expertly navigates the themes of loss and the loss of innocence, too. She might be a rookie, but she hits a home run with a poignant and touching novel about hope, perseverance and the strength of the human spirit." – The Columbus Dispatch

"Smith writes earnestly and gets the North Side atmospherics right…Sentimental believers will eat up Ryan's tale." – The Chicago Sun-Times

#daphne

Another cool thing we should have responded to a long time ago

This was actually written July 10, but better late than never: UK writer Alex Milway has linked to the Longstockings in a Guardian blog about the value of blogging for writers. Apparently we're doing a good job. Thanks for the props, Alex!

I've been thinking about this piece for a couple weeks (though not posting about it, on account of my internet's been up and down--should be fixed now) because I feel like the urge to blog goes way beyond "because my publicist says I should." I, for one, just like having a place to spout off about the childhood- and literature-related stuff that floats around my brain, and see what other people have to say about it.

What do you think? I know a lot of blogging and non-blogging writers read each other: what do you find interesting (or not) in the blogs you read? What do you find interesting (or not) about keeping a blog?

-Kathryne

Hellooooo? Anyone there????

About three weeks ago, Longstockings reader Niki emailed us this very excellent question:

"What is the proper protocol when you query an editor, they request the manuscript, months go by, you send a status, and still more months go by? Do you chalk it up or still hold out hope? Do you try and contact that editor again? I have this same problem with the same manuscript with at least four different publishers. Any suggestions?"

See? A very excellent question. One that, being an editor, I wanted to answer right away. So, after promising my fellow Longstockings that I would answer it, I promptly... did not. For three weeks.

Which, in a round about sort of way, actually illustrates the point I wanted to make to begin with: That editors are well-meaning, if insanely busy people, and sometimes they take for-eevvvvv-er to get back to the people who are waiting to be gotten back to.

Um, sorry about that, Niki.

But you already knew that editors were busy. And slow as molasses. What you wanted to know was what you should do about it. So here's the answer: Pester them. But nicely.

Case in point: in my company's editorial guidelines for submission, we state that we usually take about three months to respond to submissions. Now, often we get back much, much more quickly than that. Sometimes we don't. But because we say three months right up front, I get annoyed when people query me about a manuscript I've had for say, three weeks. After three weeks, that manuscript is most likely still ten inches deep in my TO READ pile (er, ten inches into one of my piles. At the moment I have seven. Yeah. Need to get crackin' on that....). So at that point I will often ignore the "Have you read you read my manuscript?" emails/letters because:

1) I haven't read it.

2) I'm irked that person is asking about it so soon.

3) The manuscript is probably so buried in my pile I would break my arms looking for it anyway.

So my advice is to know how long a publishing house usually takes to respond to manuscripts before pestering the editor.

HOWEVER. And here's a big however. If our guidelines say we respond in three months and it's been, say, four... well then it's my bad and you by all means should give me a nudge. Not a nasty "What the hell is taking you so dang long?" letter, but a gentle "Just wondering if the manuscript is under consideration" type deal. This will cause me to:

1) Feel like a schmoe.

2) Apologize for taking so dang long.

3) Move your submission to the top of my pile.

Another excellent reason to write to an editor if she's taken over an eon to get back to you is that, sometimes, she's not even the culprit. Sometimes she has passed the submission on to another reader, and your query is the extra incentive she needs to get that person to move the manuscript to the top of his pile. Because when an editor wants to acquire something, that something needs to be read by a lot of people, and all of those people are insanely busy. So sometimes, being a tad bit pushy can actually work in your favor. (Please only a tad bit, though--go stalker-crazy with the harassing and an editor who's on the fence about your work may decide you're not worth the bother.)

But in the case where an editor has specifically asked to see something, and then doesn't get back to you, even after an initial query, I would suggest emailing a nice letter asking if the manuscript is under serious consideration, and letting the editor know that if you don't hear back from her in a week or two, you'll be sending the manuscript off to other editors. This is totally fair on your part, and should also light a fire under the editor's derriere (and those of any subsequent in-house readers) .

Of course, if you'd submitted something and you've suddenly gotten an offer from another house, or you've acquired an agent in the meantime, you should definitely let the editor know right away. Nothing makes an editor bite faster than a little competition. (Side note, though: please don't lie about this. That is lame, and also, we'll probably figure it out, and then where will you be?)

Anyway, sorry for being so late in answering your question about lateness, Niki! But I hope this was at least a little helpful.

~lisa graff~

Little writing secret

This may seem odd, but I do some of my best writing on the Long Island Railroad. The ride from Penn Station to Great Neck (where my parents live) is 34 minutes. I turn on my laptop before the train leaves and go right to where I left off in the manuscript and then I type, type, type the whole way. I'm not sure if it's the set amount of time or the incentive that I can go in the pool when I get off the train, but whatever it is, I have typed SO many good pages aboard the train. Maybe I should give a little shout-out to the LIRR in my acknowledgments? Nah, not necessary; those tickets are pricey. But I'm glad I have found this little bit of train time that works so well for writing.

What are your secret writing times or writing spots? I bet we all have at least one...

Now off to the pool!
Lisa GW

just starting out... for real this time!

I only have six weeks left to my residency in Basel, and ever since I finished writing KENDRA, I've made the most of this great location to do some traveling. Before coming here I hadn't been ANYWHERE before, so I made up for lost time by going to Berlin, London, Rome, Florence, the Amalfi coast (see photo), Barcelona, and Paris (twice!)

But I haven't done a bit of writing in MONTHS!

So I've decided that I really really need to start working on the sequel to TYRELL already. My editor advised me not to worry about writing the actual book yet, that instead I should spend the rest of my time here "finding my story." So I have six weeks to figure out where Tyrell wants to take me!

My plan is to write 1000 words per day, five days a week. I'm writing a mixture of character sketches, dialogue, lists, and internal monologue. I'm sure none of this will actually make it into the book, but I'm trying not to stress myself out, just take my time and see what happens.

And now to make things even easier, Siobhan and I have decided to share bits of our work with each other this summer, since our writing group is on hiatus until September.

Every Sunday we will e-mail 5 pages to each other -- no more, no less. Since we're both in the beginning stages of our books, we just want gentle feedback, encouragement to continue writing and exploring our ideas. Every Wednesday we will send each other an e-mail with 2 things we like about the submission (things we think are working well) and 2 questions (hopefully the right questions to get us thinking about possibilities, questions potential readers will want answered.)

Just knowing I have to send Siobhan 5 pages on Sunday has really upped my enthusiasm for writing, now that someone else is actually going to see it. And since we're both going to be supporting each other, not really critiquing, I don't feel any pressure to make my writing perfect.

So if you don't have a writing group, find a writer friend and try doing what Siobhan and I are doing this summer!!! (And definitely let us know how it's going!)
:-)
~Coe~

The Best Books for Children??

How do you know which books your kids absolutely HAVE to read? Anita Silvey, 35-year veteran of the children's book world (including several years as VP and Publisher of Children's Books for Houghton Mifflin, and eleven years as editor-in-chief at the Horn Book Magazine) has created the masterful 100 Best Books for Children. No, this isn't a recent publication, but I just received a copy from a wonderful bookseller friend of mine who knows I'm putting together my library for Baby Hickey.

Not only does this book include the best board books, PBs, Chapter Books and MGs of the last hundred years, she includes behind-the-scenes info about each. Here are a few juicy tidbits I've stumbled across:

*When Roald Dahl handed in BFG, his editor sent him TEN typed, single-spaced pages of editorial suggestions. Dahl took the feedback and ran with it, producing his most critically successful work. Also, Quentin Blake is ambidextrous and drew illustrations for the book with pens in both hands!

*When Harriet the Spy was published, it received scathing reviews. But kids loved it, and it quickly became popular.

*A Wrinkle In Time was rejected by 26 publishers before finding a home at FSG (for a rumored $500 advance).

*The editor of The Witch Of Blackbird Pond found the manuscript to be one of the most perfect she'd ever seen. She only made one minor correction before the book went straight to press. Also, the book won the Newbery Medal unanimously on the first ballot, an extremely rare event.

If you don't have a copy of this book, I highly recommend it. I'm having so much fun learning the dirt about my old favorites, and which books Silvey has chosen from the last ten years or so that are destined to become classics.

*caroline hickey

Insecurity

I just sent off my latest WIP to my agent and I am in agony because I'm sure she's going to hate it. I can't even think about what I wrote without feeling slightly nauseous.

In theory this is the beginning of book #3 for me and back when I was still working on #1 I was sure all the insecurity that was drowning me was just something that happened the first time around. I figured once I had a sale I'd feel all terrific about myself and my writing and happily share drafts with the Longstockings and my agent and editor with confidence. Not that I thought everything I'd write would be perfect of course (I'm not insane after all) but I figured I'd just turn things over feeling ready for critique and edits and not lose sleep worrying they'd hate it like I did with books #1 and #2.

But surprise, if anything I feel even more insecure. I'm worried the first books were a fluke and now is when I find out that I really can't write at all or that I only had two good story ideas and I've used them up. Not that my agent would say that- she is wonderful and makes me feel great even when she gives me critique. I know this yet I can't shake the impending sense of doom I feel with this third manuscript.

Does anyone else go through this? And does anyone know if this ever gets easier?

#Daphne

Dirty Literary Secrets

Last night, I had an amazing library visit in my hometown. A bunch of teens came, and they had all read ALFA, which made for really great and lively discussions.

The evening ended as most of my library visits do...with a couple of girls and I spitting out the titles of books we adore. This kind of banter is the best! There's usually a lot of jumping up and down involved. Or grabbing specific books off the shelves to physically hug them--an illustration of how much they are cherished.

But from time to time, things can get a little uncomfortable. An example:

Girl: "I honestly think that Weetzie Bat is like, the best book ever written. Don't you agree?"
Me: ...

or

Girl: "My favorite book in the entire world is Speak."
Me: ...

or

Girl: "His Dark Materials are ah-mazing!!!"
Me: ...

Instantly, my hands get clammy. I start looking for the emergency exit as my brain cycles through a list of wonderful, beloved, Must Read books that...well...I haven't read. Of course, you can't read every single book in the world, but there are some "classics" that are so revered, it's like writer blasphemy to have never cracked their spines.

Note: I always admit to not having read a book. In some cases, girls have made me crossmyheartandhopetodie promise to read something. (hello, Twilight on my summer vacay) But the inner shame I feel when I see the utter SHOCK on their faces is really awful.

My only comfort is to hope that everyone has a dirty little literary secret, a book they totally should have read, but never got around to it. I've copped to three of mine here. So please, dear readers, fess up one of your dirty literary secrets and help me feel better about myself!

-=siobhan=-

Waiting for the release of BREAKING DAWN?

Well, you're obviously not alone! Check out this (slightly annoying) video from Barnes & Noble:

~Coe~

Don't look back, you can never look back...

Thank you, Don Henley. I hear Boys of Summer in my head every day as I am working on my new book. I have made a rule for myself that I can never go back in a draft until I've finished it. But it's SO hard. I mean, really so hard. Because the thing is, I know the beginning of my new WIP is all wrong, like totally wrong. It needs a prologue; I had an epiphany about this at the pool the other day. And I really want to go back and scrap the 25 pages that I have and start over with a prologue, but I am telling myself that I can't. I must plow through, keep writing 5 pages a day, get to the end of the draft and THEN I can go back. It will feel great when I get to the end and can then go back. I don't think I love first drafts as much as I used to.

Ugh. What are your rules for first drafts? Is anyone else as masochistic as I am when it comes to them?

xo
Lisa GW

Have y'all heard of this?

Bookswim.com--the Netflix of books. So basically, you rent books and have them shipped to you. My first thought is, wait, isn't this just like going to the library, only um, not free? The plus is supposed to be that they have out of print and hard to find books. Well, okay-- I searched for one of my fav out of print peeps, Rosamund du Jardin, and they had nada. They did have Shug though, so yay-- but why not just go to the library? The library gets the new stuff and you can just put your name on a waiting list and voila, they hold it for you. I know people are all about the renting these days (prom dresses, movies, designer bags, groceries) but why fix something that isn't broken? The library works just fine and it's free. Are we so lazy that we need the books delivered to our doorstep? I mean, maybe this is good for people who are elderly and can't leave the house... But if you are that elderly then I doubt you are on the Internet ordering up books. Or fine, this is a good service for other people who can't leave the house. You'd still have to mosey over to your mailbox though, right?

stephenie meyer fans...

...check out this article from Entertainment Weekly. Here's a bit:

All the money, the fans, the fame — it's nothing compared with the high she's still riding from plucking that first story from her imagination and putting it to paper. She already has a first and second sequel to The Host mapped out in her head. She's written four chapters of a ghost story that she's calling Summer House. Then there's the time-travel novel that she figured out the ending to this very morning while putting on her makeup. And, of course, to her ardent fans' delight, she has half of Midnight Sun, a retelling of Twilight from Edward's point of view, lurking on her computer. There's pressure to polish it off and have it ready for next summer, but Meyer is playing it cool. ''I haven't sold Midnight Sun yet,'' she says. ''It's for me still. I'll probably sell it when I'm done, for one reason: I want to have it bound up on my shelf with the others. Or,'' she laughs, ''maybe I'll just publish it on my website.''

She's a busy, busy woman!

:-)

~Coe (who will read TWILIGHT one day!)

it's just so frustrating...

Well, it's happened again. That certain large bookseller (which shall remain nameless) has rejected another friend's book BECAUSE OF THE COVER!!! Ugh, this makes me feel so sorry for my friend -- and so angry!!!

When I wrote about this over a year ago, I thought that friend's experience was kind of rare, but since then more and more people have told me how this one company has either delayed their book's release (so that the publisher could change the cover) or simply refused to buy any books at all (even with a new cover!)

It's just so frustrating, having to watch good authors suffer like this. My friend who is going through this now is having her book delayed for A YEAR because of this. It's gotten her doubting herself and her writing career. I mean, imagine how you would feel if a book you were expecting to come out in the fall was pushed back for a whole year just because one company didn't like the cover art, something you didn't even have any control over.

I don't know what the solution to this problem is, especially as other book chains (and more importantly, independent bookstores) go out of business, creating less competition. I mean, I know a company should have the right to sell whatever they want, but when there are so few options out there, this one company's refusal can have (and has had) devastating effects on a book's chances of getting an audience -- and a writer's chance to make a living.

Aargh..

~Coe~

I'm home!!

Most unexpected question upon coming through customs on my "Work Permit Dependent" entry visa, having answered several about the work permit on which I am dependent: "So, what do you do, then?"

I gulped several times, because I hate answering all the questions that invariably follow when I say this: "I'm a writer."

The customs officer smiled for the first time, handed me back my passport, and said, "Welcome to the UK!"

Of course, I've made no progress on my WIP since I've been here--I've been mostly sleeping and writing postcards and jotting thoughts and observations in the handbag-sized Moleskine I received before I left (thanks, Steve!). But for when I am ready to use my imagination again, reader Sarah has sent me a link with answers to the question, "where's a good place to sit and write around here?" (Thanks, Sarah!! Your e-mail made my day.) This is on top of all the great advice I received in response to my plea for books and bookstores.

Of course, wherever the Longstockings go, we take our social lives with us. That means it's time for me to organize a London Kidlit Drinks Night! I know we've got at least a couple of readers who still live around here--what do you say to getting together one evening, say, Thursday July 24 (oops, I meant 24 July)?

E-mail me (londonlongstocking@yahoo.co.uk) if you're interested in meeting up--or if you just have suggestions or words of wisdom for the new expat. We're on an adventure!

--Kathryne

writing writing writing

This summer was supposed to be all about writing. The reality of what has happened is that I have only been home like a measly two days since school let out! Not that I am complaining about Cape Cod or Richmond-- but here I am, home again, finally contributing to this blog, when next week I am up and leaving again. Only this time, I will actually be forced to write write write. I am off to the Southampton Writers Conference, and I am verrrry excited about it but also a little bit nervous. I am in a workshop with the fabulous Melissa Bank, she of Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing and Wonder Spot. What if everyone in the workshop is working on the next Blood Meridian-etc etc?? What if everybody is wack? 11 days is kind of a long time. But, 11 days in the Hamptons isn't exactly 11 days in San Quentin. Also, there will be other amazing writers there, like Amy Hempel, poet Billy Collins, Frank McCourt... I plan to soak it all up and learn like, a million new things. Hopefully I will have something good to share when I get back! I also want to get a really good chunk of my next next thing done at the conference. It's a book I started at New School, in fact, it was my thesis. I put it aside to work on other things, but I look forward to these 11 days as being its time to come back out into the world!

xoxo
Jenny

On Writing and Babies

With less than two weeks to go until my due date, I'm furiously trying to finish revisions to my WIP as well as get mentally ready for this whole motherhood thing. So I was delighted when an author friend of mine gave me a copy of Anne Lamott's Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year to read. It was one of those times when you are reading the exact book you need to read at the right time.

I'm a huge Bird By Bird fan, and Operating Instructions did not disappoint. It was packed with brutal, gruesome, honest details about what the first year of motherhood is really like. Sometimes you worship your baby. Sometimes you want to throw him/her out the window. It covers trying to be a writer and make a living with an infant. How her brain turned to mush for awhile and she was simply too spent to string ideas together. It was a great eye opener for me, and a book that even non-writers and non-parents will enjoy, simply for Lamott's quirky observations about life. I found myself wanting to underline certain parts, which is a sure sign that this book is one I will be re-reading.

*caroline hickey

Quiet please; Dedicated to...

Did you guys ever sing that chant? We did it all the time at camp when I was nine and ten. Whenever I think of book dedications, I hear that chant in my head. The only problem is, I can't remember how the rest went. I think we'd then say a boy's name or something and sing a song to him. If anyone can help with the end of this chant, please do!

But anyway, I've been thinking a lot about book dedications lately. I know who I'm dedicating My Life in Pink & Green to but I feel sort of bad that I'll hurt other people's feelings not dedicating it to them. I mean, I know they'll get over it and I shouldn't take myself or my dedication so seriously, but still. I worry. I'm a worrier.

In other dedication news, check out this story I read courtesy of Jezebel.

xoxo
Lisa GW

Fall Books

There are so many books I'm looking forward to this fall! KENRA and ISABELLE'S BOYFRIEND top the list. Another list topper is out in less than a month, BREAKING DAWN, which I am absolutely dying to read! I am in camp Edward but do love Jacob so I won't be crushed if Bella goes with him. Either way it's going to be an amazing read. THE POSSIBILITIES OF SAINTHOOD is another book I'm really looking forward to, as is Elizabeth Scott's new one, LIVING DEAD GIRL. I've heard it's really different from her other stuff so that should be interesting. TOP 8 is a must-read for a Facebook addict like me and it has a great cover. The third Violet book, VIOLET IN PRIVATE will be out too. I just read the first one and am in love with it, so I'll be looking forward to that one. Another one I've been hearing great things about is MY SO-CALLED FAMILY by Courtney Sheinmel. She's a friend so I'm hoping for a sneak peek of that one. And Barry Lyga has a new one coming that I can't wait to get my hands on. To be honest I'm not even sure when I'm going to get writing done since there's so much I want to read!

What up coming books are you looking forward to?

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daphne

Anne @ 100

Did you know that 2008 is the year my beloved Anne of Green Gables turns 100? It's true!

Unfortunately, the biggest of the planned celebrations was held this weekend on gorgeous Prince Edward Island. But there are two other events in the future, including Matthew and Marilla's Reunion in August, and authoress L.M. Montgomery's birthday celebration in November. Click HERE for all Anne2008 related details, including teaching guides, history, and tourism info.

Ooh! And for those of us who can't make it up to Canada, you can always purchase yourself a lovely Anne of GG commemorative coin, courtesy of the Royal Canadian Mint. I am TOTALLY getting one.

Happy Birthday Anne Shirley!

-=siobhan melanie anne-with-an-e vivian=-

Bloggers of the Week

The Longstockings are on Cool in Your Code as this week's featured bloggers. Check us out!

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daphne

Good news!

Don't call the book shrink just yet, Daphne! You've just been named the debut author of the month for the Children's Writers andIllustrators Market Blog and newsletter.

Check out the link for a great in-depth interview with Daphne (and to see that lovely book jacket one more time). Congrats!!

Book Shrinks

I had this hope that once my book came out I’d stop feeling so stressed about stuff. I’d relax, enjoy doing some readings and blog interviews and focus my energy on my next book. And all of that has happened except for the relaxing part. I’m up nights worrying about the book, my Amazon ranking, whether I was boring in an interview, whether I read so fast no one could understand me, etc. And in talking to other writers with books out I know I’m not the only one stricken with these worries. Which inspired me to think of a new career idea. I think there should be book shrinks.

Now I know any good therapist out there can help with career anxiety, but I’m thinking of professionals trained in breaking down Amazon rankings in ways that could be comforting to clients, people able to offer guidance on reading, advice on interviews and general story support on a twenty four hour basis. Publishers could have offices for these book shrinks and they could be available for phone consultations as well as hourly visits. So the next time I went into my local indie bookstore and had an anxiety attack because A) there were so many copies of my book on the shelf I was sure none would ever sell, or B) there was only one copy left and I was sure they’d never order more, I could just dial up the shrink and get talked back to sanity. Or at least somewhere close to sanity.

So here’s to hoping that some grad school develops a master’s program in shrinks for writers. And maybe then I’ll actually get some sleep at night!

Washington Parent Mag Has Brilliant Reviewer

CASSIE WAS HERE was reviewed in the July issue of Washington Parent magazine as one of their "Great Summer Reads." I concur!

Bree gave up her imaginary friend a long time ago, but her family’s move to a new neighborhood prompts Joey’s return one summer. Joey soon takes a back seat to mysterious Cassie, who, at 13, is two years older than Bree. But when Cassie cuts and streaks Bree’s hair and starts flirting with her older brother, Bree wonders whether it’s better to have a reliable imaginary friend or a moody real one. Funny and poignant, this debut novel by a local author will resonate with tweens.

I know the book has been out over a year but I still get tingles when someone likes it. I really should be focusing on ISABELLE'S BF coming out in September and finishing my revisions on the new WIP, but the Longstockings make it a habit to celebrate whenever we can, since there are so many tough moments to compensate for.

Like right now, when I have a heap of revision pages to do and it's hot out and I'm distracted by my gigantic belly...

*caroline hickey

Bon Voyage, Kathryne!

The Longstockings decided to multi-task for Kathryne's Bon Voyage party. We started off the evening with a reading at Books Of Wonder, starring our very own Lisa and Daphne.